Truckee: Coffee Bar, Donner State Park & Cottonwood
I hope you guys aren’t getting sick of the Tahoe posts yet because I still have one more to go. I’m sharing a little more of Truckee with you today because I think there are a few more spots worth mentioning. It really is such a nice little city; Brandon and I have even tossed around the idea of retiring there one day.
You see those little houses at the top of the mountain there? I’m thinking maybe one those, what do you think?
Okay, back to reality.
From what I’ve read, there are plenty of great hikes in and nearby Truckee but since we had Coco and were limited on time, we chose to do a short one at Donner State Memorial Park. We went later in the afternoon {after a fun morning of stand-up paddle boarding-more on that later} so we stopped for lunch at the Coffee Bar to refuel beforehand.
Coffee Bar is near downtown Truckee and specializes in organic coffee, gelato, European handmade crepes and other lunch options such as sandwiches and salads. They’re also passionate about using organic and sustainable ingredients whenever possible so of course, I had to eat there.
I opted for their Garden Crepe with seasonal fresh vegetables.
Brandon got the vegetable Panini with smoked mozzarella.
And we split a Nicoise salad on the side.
I know, it’s a lot of food but he’s a growing boy.
Coco did a pretty good job resisting the birds on the patio. She likes to chase them.
After an awesome lunch, we packed-up and took about a 10-minute drive to Donner State Park.
The park is located right along Donner Lake which turned out to be really pretty.
Our hike was actually more of a stroll but we had a good time taking in the scenery and not having to worry about Coco falling off a cliff.
The trees along the path were kind of unusual looking and reminded me of something out of a Tim Burton film.
Maybe that’s just me.
True to form, Coco was not interested in the water at all but she had fun exploring all of the new scents in the park.
We didn’t stay there long because we wanted to make time to walk around downtown but the park seemed like a great alternative to Lake Tahoe for swimming and watersports.
After cleaning up, we went to dinner at Cottonwood Restaurant.
Cottonwood is perched on the side of a hill with an outdoor patio that has a perfect view of downtown Truckee. It felt great to relax in the fresh air with that view and a glass of wine.
For my meal, I ordered the butternut squash enchiladas.
Brandon had the polenta gratin with fresh mozzarella and roasted garlic. He’s a garlic lover.
As we ate dinner, the sun started to set and it made for a very romantic setting.
We made sure to save room for dessert this time and savored every bite of the chocolate fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream.
Oh my, that was good. The whole meal was amazing and we would definitely go back to Cottonwood again.
Of course, we forgot to ask for a picture when the sun was still up so all I have is this one by candlelight.
Okay, that’s all I have of Truckee but even in that short amount of time, I fell in love. Truckee is my jam!
Do you have plans yet for Labor Day?
Where do you want to retire?
I’m definitely not getting sick of the Lake Tahoe pics! In fact, you’re making me want to go there now! ;-) It looks like such a gorgeous place to visit. Those trees definitely look like something from a Tim Burton movie. It’s awesome! Those enchiladas sound amazing! I could totally go for one right now! ;-)
The enchiladas were so good! I want to try and make recreate them when butternut squash is in season. I haven’t had great success with copycat recipes but hopefully it works out!
Keep the posts coming!!! You actually went on my dream vacation! Combo of great food + activity??? Yes please! I would definitely love to retire somewhere like this. Then again I’d like to retire anywhere TODAY if I could lol…is 24 too young? Have a great day!!
No, 24 isn’t too young! Haha, I would retire today too if I could :)
I love all of your Tahoe posts and am taking notes for when we make a trip there! I am sure I will be emailing you when the time comes with questions :) Everything looks so beautiful!
I will be more than happy to help with any questions you have Katie! I’m no Tahoe pro but I’ll try! :)
I absolutely see the Tim Burton reference ;-) And Truckee definitely looks so gorgeous! Definitely some fantastic restaurants, clearly…I’d be all over those butternut squash enchiladas. And the dessert!
My labour day plans = moving. Not exactly the most fun way to spend a holiday! :-p
The food was surprisingly awesome and one of the best things about Truckee.
No, that’s not fun you have to move on Labor Day weekend but hopefully you’ll be settled by Monday so you can relax and enjoy your new home! Good luck with the move and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for Atti. Poor baby. :(
Oh i don’t think its possible for me to get sick of tahoe posts, what a gorgeous and fun and delicious place!! i would love to go one day. Labor day, I’ll be at the beach all weekend with a bunch of girlfriends while eric lives it up at his friend’s bachelor party out in las vegas. personally though, i’d still choose the beach over vegas any day :)
I’m with you; I much rather hang at the beach than Vegas. Dinner and a Cirque du Soleil show sounds nice but the rest (gambling, cigarette smoke) doesn’t seem enjoyable. At least you only have to worry about applying sunscreen to yourself (and not Eric) so you’re not responsible for any burn spots that you might miss. ;)
Wow! What amazing pictures and scenery! It looks like you had a fabulous time! I definitely would love to go there someday! Looks like a great place to retire! I would love to retire on the water. Maybe abroad!
So jealous of that entire day, it looks amazing! I’m also working a 6-day work week so I feel your pain. Labor day weekend can’t get here soon enough! I have no plans so far and I’m totally ok with that!
1. I will NEVER get sick of these kinds of pictures.
2. You may both retire there and in those houses so I can come stay with you guys for free (no this isn’t creepy).
3. Coco is so precious and that’s awesome that she behaved and didn’t chase birds.
4. Yes to that dessert, looks so chocolate-y and delicious!
5. What a wonderful vacation!!! :) All your pictures are stunning and beautiful!
If I am ever lucky enough to retire there you are more than welcome to come stay! Hopefully you’re really the sweet innocent blonde you say you are and not some big sloppy creeper. ;)
Oh baby, all of that food looks unreal. I know I’ve said this on one of your previous posts, but now I’m dying to go to Tahoe. Sigh.
You and Brandon have to be the cutest couple ever.
I want to move to Truckee! It looks SO pretty, laid back, the food looks delicious AND you’re wearing a jacket in the summertime. Cant beat that, right?
I can’t get over how gorgeous it looks there. You’re making me want to go.
And a huge plus is that it looks delicious too.
Totally got your Tim Burton reference, I see it.
My labour day plans are a going away party, a birthday party, having hardware put into my place, and some Lunch plans with a friend. Should be busy, but great!
Retiring in Truckee is an awesome idea! Not just because it’s pretty, but it’s not too far from a few big cities that you don’t feel like you’re stuck in the middle of no where. My friend has a cabin there that we stay at once a year and it feels so great to disconnect and just hang out.
I don’t know where I would want to retire! Somewhere warm but not too hot, they also must have bingo night! Yes, I want to be that grandma!
It truly is so beautiful up there. My hubby’s mom and sisters live in Truckee. Three weeks till im there.:) Cute picture of you and Brandon.
I just found your blog but oh mannn these pictures are gorgeous. I want to be there now. It looks amazing! As do all of your eats.
I may have to copy your vacation. It sounds so relaxing and perfect :)
I would love to retire either by the beach like in Aptos or Capitola or up in Sonoma County. Pretty much coast or mountains for this girl. As long as we are close to a city because Eric gets stir crazy if he can’t go out and do something. And yet he booked a week stay on Bowen Island in Canada for our honeymoon. Granted there were things to do in that sleepy town. . .
Ok, you’re KILLING ME! You know I love Tahoe and now I’m kicking myself for not getting to experience Truckee! Even our Truckee is drooling over these pictures of her namesake ;) Keep these posts coming is right..can you be our tour guide next time we fly out??
You are making me want to go to Tahoe! I will have to make it there sometime soon. Looks gorgeous, and like there’s so much good food!
I absolutely love Truckee. My parents have a cabin there. I was just there last weekend!
I love coffee bar. They have such awesome iced vanilla latte’s. I also love Cottonwood. My husband I went there to celebrate our engagement the day he proposed and I had ordered those same enchiladas. haha.
Glad you had a good time there!
That is so awesome that your parents have a cabin there! Those enchiladas are pretty dang good, huh? :)
Your photos are stunning! And all of that food…amazinggggg!! I hope to visit Tahoe one day and soon! I’ve always wanted to go there!
Definitely not tired of these posts!! The views are gorgeous and omg the food!!!! Both yours and Brandon’s meals look out of this world delicious. Can I be invited next time you go to Tahoe? ;)
Lovely pictures! Looks like such a relaxing time.
Those pictures look amazing!!! Also reminds me a lot of the scenery here in Colorado! Looks like a great place to retire :) I agree that those trees look like Tim Burton trees! Maybe they should rename them. As for me, my dream is to split my retired days between Maui and Paris (you know, something low-key and not expensive….*dreams*). Labor Day plans include going to New York City for my cousin’s daughter’s baptism.
Those pictures literally made my jaw drop and say…wow! So unbelievably gorgeous. From the looks of it, it seems like a preeettyyyyy nice place to retire- especially if you can get one of those houses! And your meals looked to die for- both of them! Looks like the perfect day.
such awesome restaurants! especially the dinner one, the food looks amazing. butternut squash enchiladas, how unique! the color of the water there is just incredible.
Yum to both the enchildas and that brownie!! Sounds like you had such a great day and night! :)
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